Sighting, range-finding, and spotting device for guns and the like.



y R. BENNETT & R. E. COX. slHnN, RANGE ElNDlNG, AND sPoTTlNG DEvlcE roxGUNS AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED APR. I?. I9l5.

1,181,826. Patented May 2,1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

R. BENNETT 6L R. E. COX. SIGNTING, RANGE FINDING, AND sPoTTlNG DEVICEF03 GUNS AND THE LlKE. APPLICATION FILED APR. l1. |915.

1,181,826. Patented May 2, 1916.

zvsNEETs-SNEET 2. 35,

1 Q wf W 1mm-cy:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT BENNETT, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., AND ROBERT E. COX, OF ANNAPOLIS,MARYLAND.

SIGHTING, BANGEPFIN'DING, AND SPOTTING- lDEVICE FOR GUNS AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2, 1916.

Application filed April 17, 1915. Serial No. 22,200.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ROBERT yBnrmn'r'r and ROBERT E. Cox, citizens ofthe United States, residing at New York city, 1n the county of New Yorkand State of New York, and at Annapolis, in the county of Anne Arundeland State of Maryland, respectively, have invented neuv and usefulImprovenients in Sighting, Range-Finding, and Spotting Devices for Gunsand the like, of which the following is 'a specication.

This invention relates to improvements in ordnance instruments, and moreparticularly to instruments adapted for use in d-etermining the range ofa target or object, slghting, and spotting or observing the fall of shotor projectiles from weapons of all kinds.

The primary objects of the invention are to provide an. instrument whichenables. the gun or weapon to be sighted with facllity and accuracywithout the use of mechanism as heretofore required and which alsoaffords a field of vision of such character as to enable more than oneobserver to view the A target or object at one time, and of such size aswill enable the observer or observers to continuously view the target orobject and to spot the fall of the shot or projectile withoutinterference by the discharge of the gun or other weapon.

The invention is especially applicable to guns adapted for thedestruction of air craft of all kinds, it affording a relatively largefield by which the object may be kept in view during flight, and byusing a chart in connection with the field', the range and speed of theair craft may be quickly determined and the gun readily sighted anddischarged accordingly.

To these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements,and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinaftermore fully described, the novel features being pointed out particularlyin the claims at the end 'of the specification.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation showing oneembodiment of the present invention applied to a gun adapted for thedestru'ctlon of air craft. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of theconstruction shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a longitudinal sectionof the instrument as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.' Figs. 4 and 5 show hoodsadapted to be usedinr those cases where the instrument is applied tolarge guns. Fig. 6 1s a detail view of the charted or graduated screen.Fig. 7 shows an arrangement whereby a direct rather than an invertedimage is obtained. l

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in theseveral Views.

The present invention is applicable generally to small arms, large guns,and weapons or implements of various kinds employed to discharge aprojectile, such as a shot, bomb, torpedo or'the like, toward anobjectLit being shown as applied to a gun adapted for the destruction ofaeroplanes and other air craft, as an example, as other uses andequivalent constructions are contemplated and will be included withinthe scope of the claims at the end of this speciication.

The instrument, as shown, comprises a suitable lens 1, a screen 2 ofground glass or the like and upon which an image of the object isfocused by the lens, a suitable lightexcluding bellows 3 connecting thelens and screen, and a suitable hood 4 to darken the screen and therebyrender clearly visible thereon the image of the object upon which thegun or other weapon is-to be trained. These elements of the instrumentare suitably suppor'ted in proper alinement and in predeterminedrelation with the gun or other weapon in connection lwith which theinstrument is to be used. 4

In that embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1-3 inclusive, 5represents conventionally the barrel of the gun, the lens being securedin fixed relation thereto by the support 6, and the screen is sup--ported in fixed relation to the axis or bore of the gun by a bracket 7,the screen having a form about a which controls the the gun pointer toenable the image of the object to be brought into proper focus upon thescreen. The hood 4 excludes suiiicient light from the screen to renderthe image of the objectwithin the field of the instrument clearlyvisible thereon. As shown in F igs. 1-3 inclusive, thehood is adapted toserve for one observer, while the hood shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and whichwill be hereinafter described, enables three observers to simultaneouslyview the screen. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the optical axis of theinstrument occupies a predetermined relation to the axis of the gun, itbeing fixed in parat lelism therewith, in the present instance. Aconventional form of mounting is provided for the gun and its instrumentto facilitate sighting of the gun upon air craft with the aid of theinstrument embodying this invention, the gun, as shown, being fixed to aplatform 10 and upon which the gun sighter may lie in a recliningposition. This platform is tiltable on a horizontal axis 11 to vary ythedegree of elevation of the gun, and it isfrotatable about a verticalaxis to permit movement of the gun in azimuth. s shown, the horizontalaxis 11 supporting the` latform is mounted in a framey l? and the rameis rotatably supported by a turn-table 13. Tiltin of the platform tovary the elevation o the gun may be convenientl effected by a hand-wheel14 located at one side of the platform within reach of one hand of thegun sighter and connected by the gearing 15 to the sector 16 connectedto the platform, and rotation of the latform to effect any desiredmovement of) the gun in azimuth may be conveniently effected by ahandwheel 17 located at the opposite side of the platform within reachof the other hand of the operator, this hand-wheel 17 being connected bythe gearing 18 to a stationary vertical shaft 19, whereby rotation ofthe platvertical axis relatively to the stationary base ofthe mountin iseffected. Brakes 20 and 21 are shown or larresting the tilting movementof theplatfomnor the v rotary movement thereof and for holding theplatform in any desired positiomthese brakes being set by a pedaloperative by one foot of the gun slghter, and thetrigger 22 rin of the nis shown connected to a pe al 23 whic may be operated as desired by theother foot of the gun sighter. In applying the invention to guns of thischaracter, .the hood 4 may be adapted to permit observation of thescreen by one person only. However, in applying the instrument toAlarger guns, suchas these used on board ships, desirable that more thanone person should observe the image of the object on the screen, lasthis provides instruction for all the observers, the sighting of the gunis checked by the different observers, and disablement or infortifications, it is i of the gun sighter the use of the gun.

will occasion no delay in As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the hood 24 issupported in vided with tw'o proper relation to the screen by a sultableframe 25, and it openings 26 and 27 to receive is shown proactivelysight and the invention for portion of the screen,

magnifying anyr desired.

for example, the image of the object appearing thereon. Such means 1nthe present instance'eompwses a pair `of binoculars justably 1n the reartted. hood and may' 28 which. are end of the be focused upon anyldesired portion of the screen by the obser ing means whereby timedetermine the ving oiicer, thus providthe officer may at any conduct ofthe gun sighter, as well as means whereby such oilicer may examine theimage with a viewA eniarged or magnified todetermining the identity ofthe object or tes-'obtain any other de. sired data pertaining to theobject, ln order that the heads of the observersi occupying the openings26 and 27) will not obstruct" the view of the 28, a pair of observerusing the binocniars headfrests 29 may be provided which, asshown,aresup`ported in fined relation withinf the rhood bracket 31is-shown ulars in the hood.

by a frame 30. A

supporting the binoeproper position in the rear and ofV The screen 2 isappropriately marked or graduated to constitute a chart or diagram toindicate the point of aim of the gun Calibrating or graduating of thesei-aen to form the chart is as kfollows preferably accesi lshed :-.-Thegun, te which the instrument is attached is red on a firing rangeto-.hitian appropriate target, the

the shot struck, the

screen as the point 32. The ein is 'then spot where target 1s marked on,the

tred at an object or target located at different known distances and thehorizont-ai cross ylines 33 are" then marked suitable numerals applied,

on the screen and as shown, to indicate the 'lines corresponding to thedielent' ranges. To compensate forv wind or other"lAhorizontaldeviations,the gun `is fired under would produce such deviations, and the vertical lines 34 are marked on the screenand suitablenumerals applied,

such conditions as as shown, and per hour.

representing miles or knots In order lto enable the observer to quicklydetermine the range of` the object,

series ef graphic representations of different objects at varying' ranges are provided, to be used 1n comparison with'the image of a similarobject on the` scree n, thusenabiing the 4observer to laim the gunaccordingly. in the present instance, a

sentations 35 of a loi-plane pearsat different r series of graphic`repreas the same apanges` is arranged at one 190* The ilo margin of thescreen, va series of graphic representations 36 of a monoplane as thesame appears at different ranges is located at another margin of thescreen, a series of graphic representations 37 of a dirigible balloon asthe same appears at different ranges` is located at another margin ofthe screen, and a series of graphic representations 38 of a battleshipor other warship Aas the same `appears at different ranges is located atanother margin of the screen.

In using the instrument with' the' screen` appropriately calibrated, thegun to which the instrument is connected in predetermined .relation isadjusted, as to elevation -and azimuth, to bring the ima-ge on thescreen into a definite relation with the spot or point 32 on the screen,at which moment the gun is fired. At point blank range,Y this shouldoccur when the image is super-posed on or coincides with the spot orpoint 32, assuming that said spot or point is located with reference tothe point blank fire of the gun, but where the object is distant, itsrange is determined either by the aid of the graphic representations ofsuch objects, as described, or by the usual range finders, and the gunis then adjusted with relation to its elevation so as to bring the imageof the object on the screen into register with the appropriaterange-indicating line upon the screen, at which moment the gun is fired.Lateral deflection, due to Wind or other causes, is similarlycompensated for by swinging the gun in azimuth until the image of theobject on the screen registers with the appropriate line on the screen,at Which moment the gun is fired. Obviously,.allow ance may be madefor-range and lateral deiiection, either separately or simultaneously.

Owing to the relatively large Afield include by the instrument, the sameprovides means whereby continuous observation of the 'image may be had,and this, notwithstanding the lateral recoil of the gun. This is veryadvantageous, as it, provides the observers with means for y effectofthe shots and for spottingthe fall of the shots when lthe latterstrike water,

the resultingcolumn of water arising being clearly visible on the screenand indicating to the observers the spot where the Shot fell. Thepresent invention also provides a range-finding, gun-sighting# andshqtspotting instrument wherein the image of the object is brought to afocus and 4is in a position that it may 1 'be simultaneously viewed by anumber of observers, each using both eyes, no individual -focusing forthe different observers being necessary. Preferably, the screen is socalibrated as to locate the central point of focus in the centerY of thefield.w The calibrations on the screen are all in the same eye focuswith the 'image on the screen. It is to'be understood, of'h point of.aimdetermining the .hind the screen '2 and locating? a screen lOin rearof the lens.

observation the image on the second screen being?. d thrfugh theopenings 41 in the rea-1" of theYV hoo Of course', it is to beunderstood thatitho hood may, in some cases, be in effeta diafl roomwhich would inclose the bodies of the observers. j

lhat is claimed is 1. The combination with a of" a sighting instrumentconnected to andA ln'ov-j able therewith, embodying a screen adapted toreceive an image of' an-object alidliavilg"j a point of aim markedthereon indefinite' relation to the` bore of theigun. 2. The combinationwith a gun, of al sight connected to and movable there;with',ilembodying a screen. means for producing" thereon an image of anv object,andv meansy on the screen maintained indefinite rela@ tioii to the boreof thegun' andf adapted to' coperate with the image to determine the aimof the gun.' 3. The combination with a gunyoa sight held in fixedrelation with the gun' and embodying a screen having'u marked thereon apoint of? ainr located with refe!"- ence to the line `of fire of thegun, andmeaiisVQ for projecting the image of an objectonto the screen tocoperate thereon with Said4 eli lbs

4. The combination with a gun, of a gufi#r sighting device' having meanslfor Securing" it in fixed relation to the axis of the gun"andcomprising a screen having. a, point of: aim thereon locatedy withreference to the line of fire ofthe gun and also calibrated to indicatelateral deflection, and means for projecting the image ofV anobjectontoth'e screen withreference to saidV pointofaim' and lateraldeflection calibrations alifliiiay position determined by the aiin ofthe relatively to the object.

, 5. lhe combination with'a of'a gun-"f41270 sighting'device mount-edilifixed relation to'l the axisof a gun and comprising a.- screen .having apoint ofaim thereon located with` reference to the nline of fire of the4n'and also .calibrated accordingv to n ilerent ranges, andmeans'for'producingthe image of an object on the screen witligrfeienceto saidipoinit o'f'aim and range' calibrations.

6.V The combinationwith a gun,'of'agl1"n-' sighting device connectcdto'and movable 1";

with the gun and comprising a screen marked .witha point of aim,graduations for different ranges and graduations for different lateraldeections, jecting the4 image of an object onto the screen` withreference to said point `of aim and said range and deiectiongraduations.

In testimonyA whereof We have hereunto copies otthi; patent may beobiained for ve cents each, by addressing the "set oui' hands in andmeans for pro-` presence of two subscribing witnessos.

ROBERT BENNETT. ROBERT E. COX.

.Witlnessesz y C. A. BATEMAN, CHAS. S. HYER.

communaut o! Patenti,

Washington, D. (2.

